Mr. Claude Aubin Senator for Métis Nation Québec Appointed to the MNCTP Board of Honorary Governors Ottawa, ON, Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2016

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Mr. Claude Aubin

(From left to right: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Mr. Michel Lefebvre, Mr. Claude Aubin, and the Right Honourable David Johnston)

Today – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), appointed Mr. Claude Aubin, Senator, Métis Nation Québec, to the Board of Honorary Governors of the MNCTP.

Mr. Claude Aubin is an Aboriginal Canadian leader that identifies proudly with his Métis heritage. Mr. Aubin completed a ‘one term’ of sixteen years as the Spokesperson for the Métis Nation Québec, and another term as a Chief of the Maliseet Nation of Viger.

“Mr. Aubin comes from a long line of proud Aboriginal military leaders. This includes as signatories for the Wabanaki Treaties that took place in Eastern Canada with the French and British crowns, and as veterans of both World Wars. He is also the keeper of the treaty box and the sacred pipe of the Great Peace of Montréal that took place in 1701.”

“Aboriginal Veterans are as marginalized as their fellow men and women of the Allied Merchant Navies and American Merchant Marine. In this way, Mr. Aubin brings a great deal of experience and expertise that significantly contributes to the achievement of the MNCTP portfolio, and we are very fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, MNCTP

In 2012, the Government of Canada provided Mr. Aubin and Mr. Michel Lefebvre with the War of 1812 Medal of Recognition and a Flag for the Métis contributions and sacrifices to this war. Mr. Aubin and Mr. Lefebvre accepted this award on behalf of the Métis people of Québec.

“It is vital that we acknowledge the important contributions of our predominantly forgotten Aboriginal Veterans of WWI and WWII that have suffered a similar fate to that of our Merchant Mariners. And Mr. Aubin is very dedicated to promoting his ancestral heritage, and recognizes the critical need to ensure that we do not leave any veteran groups behind.”

Mr. Douglas Cardinal, President, Douglas Cardinal Architect Inc.

The MNCTP is a "Canadian driven" initiative dedicated to educating Canadians and the international community about the sacrifices and contributions made by the Canadian, Allied Merchant Navies, and the American Merchant Marine during WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

“I am a strong advocate in promoting the recognition of the Eastern Métis and our Voyageurs as the first “merchant marine” operating in the Canadian territory. These nautical pioneers labored intensely, and many lives were lost as a result. They too did this for the benefit of all Canadians, including all Métis and First Nations people from coast-to-coast.”

Mr. Claude Aubin, Senator, Métis Nation Québec

Through the Global Maritime Promotion Integration and Outreach Strategy (GMPIOS), intended to unify nations of the world under common veterans’ and maritime themes, the MNCTP promotes our Merchant Navy and Merchant Marine Veterans as part of Canada's, the United States of America’s, and indeed, the world's rich maritime heritage.

For more information on the Allied Merchant Navies or the American Merchant Marine, please select:

Backgrounder

Allied Merchant Navy Promotion and Commemorative Celebrations (AMNPCC)

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